This story is from UCLA Today, a discontinued print and web publication.

Webinar to help staff, faculty cope with depression

UC Office of the President |
September 25, 2012

Life and work can be overwhelming sometimes, but understanding the signs of stress and depression and finding healthy ways to cope can help.

UC will offer a free one-hour webinar on Depression Awareness Day on Oct. 11 that will allow faculty and staff to learn more about the signs, symptoms and treatment of depression as well as how to get support for yourself, your family, friends and colleagues.

You'll be able to view the webinar from your desktop computer. The one-hour webinar will be repeated four times throughout the day — at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. — to accommodate employees’ schedules.

Dr. Joseph Hullett, an experienced board-certified psychiatrist with Optum (formerly United Behavioral Health) which provides behavioral health services to UC, will lead the presentation and answer questions from employees.

Depression affects 9.1 percent of Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At UC, psychologists have reported an increase in the volume or severity of symptoms, or both, among employees seeking help.

"We need to be as focused on treatment as we are at physical illnesses," said Dwaine Duckett, vice president of systemwide Human Resources. "We’re offering this webinar so our employees can learn how to take advantage of the resources and benefits UC offers in this area also."

Hullett is national medical director of Employer Market at Optum. He is a board-certified psychiatrist with more than 25 years of experience, and expertise in behavioral health and the workplace. He earned his medical degree from Wayne State University in Michigan, and completed his residency in psychiatry and surgical internship at UCLA Medical Center. He was an assistant professor in residence for three years at UCLA and UC Irvine’s schools of medicine, before transitioning to the private sector.

To join the Oct. 11 webinar from a computer, click on a link below for the time you prefer. When prompted to enter your name and email address, enter your name or a pseudonym. You may use any email address you wish.

The webinar will also be shown two times at the UCLA Staff & Faculty Counseling Center, UCLA Wilshire Center, 10920 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 380, with an opportunity for in-person discussion with counselors at the center. The session times are 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

The UCLA Staff and Faculty Counseling Center offers free, confidential and professional counseling to help employees (and their immediate family members/significant others) prevent, assess and treat depression. If you are interested in learning more about the services and/or scheduling an appointment, call the office at (310) 794-0245.